- Congregation Beth El–Keser Israel
85 Harrison Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1724 | P: 203.389.2108 | office@beki.org
85 Harrison Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1724 | P: 203.389.2108 | office@beki.org
…based on the prophecy of Hosea taught that the bad behavior of men would cause HaShem to refuse to judge the actions of women in cases where courts could not act without the testimony of witnesses, as is the case with the sota in our Torah reading. There, at verses 23 and 24, the power source for the ceremony’s “bitter waters” is detailed as follows. Then the kohen shall write these curses — which are the penalty for her perjure in God’s name — on…
…prohibited by law. One reason I have avoided drugs is that many of them cause users to lose their inhibitions. I like my inhibitions. The ones I have are just barely sufficient to keep me from saying and doing utterly ridiculous, embarrassing and dangerous things, and only much, but not all, of the time. Another reason is that drugs alter oneʼs perception of reality. As it is, I feel my grip on reality is tenuous at best. While some have noted th…
…okhi lo yada`ti Surely the Lord is in this place, and I, I did not know. I use the double “I” in translation to follow Rabbi Lawrence Kushner in his book by that name. Ya`aqov continues, Ma-nora ha-maqom haze, ein ze ki im-beit Elohim ve-ze sha`ar ha-shamaim. How awesome is this place! This is the house of God, and this is the gate of Heaven. There we have it. Ya’aqov, no longer able to stay home, leaves. Night falls in barren terrain. He puts his…
…injuring themselves on hard stone. Frontal ramps are a much less efficient use of the space. Because of where the exit doors and supporting columns are, the ramps would need to be at least 12’ 10” away from the walls. The area between the ramps and walls would essentially become a very large walkway — we couldn’t put seats there, because they would be behind the ramp. On a typical Shabbat, that might not be a problem. But on high-attendance days,…
…e separate and distinguishable, and preferably higher than the others, because that is the one we use for seeing in the dark. We are not permitted to use the light of the Hanukia for any purpose other than celebrating the miracle of Hanuka, so one candle, the shamash (“utility”), is added so that we have one burning that we can use for other purposes, such as seeing in a dark room or re-igniting the Hanuka candles themselves. If your shamash is no…
…expression of monotheism, the Shema has taken on complexity and depth because of its uses through Jewish history. We put it in the mezuzot that consecrate our homes and identify them to the world as Jewish; we recite it morning and night in private, and during services. We sing it triumphantly when we take the Torah from the ark, and joyously in the qedusha section of the amida. The Shema closes the Neila service on Yom Kippur with dramatic repet…
…sterhood Giftshop), and use fine oil or lovely candles — you don’t want to use kerosene. Each member of the household has their own Hanukia, and each lights a number of lights corresponding to the number of the day of the holiday. We are fortunate that we are able to do this mitzva in such a complete and beautiful way. But what of the poor person who can not afford all of this “hidur mitzva” but must struggle to light even one lamp? The Mishna Ber…
…ithout prior authorization from the synagogue office and our rabbi. Peanut-free and nut-free snacks are provided for all children’s and youth programs. Peanuts and nuts are generally not permitted in the building for public or school functions. Kiddush presentations for the general congregation and sukkah meals should not contain peanuts or nuts. However, BEKI does not guarantee the facility to be nut-free. Those carrying items such as candy and s…
…dream, it says that the angels are “ascending and descending.” This has caused controversy because it says specifically ascending first and then descending. Since angels reside in heaven, why are they not descending and then ascending? I agree with Rashi’s explanation. He believes that the angels were already with Jacob. But these angels can only travel so far with him, to the border of Canaan. Now that he is leaving Canaan, new angels with a new…
…g?” she asks. I think that God finds it amusing in some way…his children amuse him. And I think He’s smiling because he knows it’s not time, for them or for me, and that I have to wander a bit more. When I planned this date for my Bat Torah, I had no idea what the Torah portion would be. Maybe it was destiny that on this day I would sing the Song of the Sea because the sea is such a fitting metaphor for what has separated my Jewish soul from my Je…
